Toilet seat collapsible protection system

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a simple means to protect a bathroom from being ruined by waste material. This system enables a typical user to have a clean, sanitized toilet bowl after a person deposits wastes into a toilet bowl. Based on the collapsible protection system a user can effectively prevent a person from misdirecting waste material from being deposited outside of a toilet bowl onto a bathroom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on a Disclosure Document Deposit Request with a Serial No. 532009 for Inventor Karlene A. Murray for the “Urilette Seat”, which was received on May 20, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system provided for deflecting and directing waste material into a toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In every home, office, public area or private area there is a bathroom that is used by humans to get rid of bodily waste. Generally, people use toilet bowls as well as urinals as a place to put waste that can be later destroyed by transferring it to a waste area.

Typically, toilet bowls are usually the main source for receiving and destroying human waste. Even though these typical toilet bowls have been used efficiently to destroy and remove human waste, there are some problems associated with these toilet bowls. For instance, when a male uses the toilet bowl to destroy waste by urinating into the toilet bowl he usually lifts the toilet seat cover to urinate into the toilet bowl. However, when he urinates into the toilet bowl he often urinates in the area surrounding the toilet bowl as well as in the toilet bowl, which causes an unpleasant mess in the bathroom. This untidiness created by the male makes it very unpleasant for any other person to use the toilet bowl after him as well as the bathroom.

In an effort to remedy the problem associated with males ruining the toilet bowl and bathroom when he urinates, there were several inventions developed to prevent the male from causing havoc in the bathroom. Usually, these inventions contained some kind of a guard for the toilet bowl. The problem with these inventions is that the guards were bulky, unsightly and inefficient invention that would ruin the cosmetic of the bathroom.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that enables a male to simply utilize a bathroom to urinate that is light weight, efficient and cosmetically appealing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned technical background, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system that provides the user with an improved and simple device that allows a user to deflect urine from landing on the toilet seat.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a toilet bowl system is disclosed. The toilet bowl system includes a toilet bowl that includes a toilet seat. The toilet seat is coupled to a side toilet set contractible system that is configured to prevent waste material from leaving the toilet bowl system.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a toilet seat is disclosed. The toilet seat includes a collapsible protection system that includes plurality of segments, where the plurality of segments are laying on top of each other. A sensor is affixed to the plurality of segments, where the sensor is configured to detect if any waste material comes into contact with the plurality of segments.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of utilizing a toilet seat is disclosed. A collapsible protection system is initiated. There is a determination if waste materials are contacting the collapsible protection system. The collapsible protection system is cleansed when waste material contacts the collapsible protection system

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet bowl system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the toilet bowl system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with segments expanded;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart that depicts a method of how a toilet bowl seat protection system of FIG.1 is employed in accordance with the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a plurality of segments in the toilet seat of FIG. 1 in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts an expanded version of the plurality of segments of the toilet seat of FIG. 4 d in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toilet seat collapsible protection system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the toilet seat collapsible protection system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a toilet seat collapsible protection system inserted into the toilet seat in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the toilet seat collapsible protection system of FIG. 8 in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently preferred embodiments of the invention are described with references to the drawings, where like components are identified with the same numerals. The descriptions of the preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet bowl system 100 in accordance with the invention. Toilet bowl system 100 includes a toilet bowl 101, a toilet bowl seat 103, a toilet seat cover 105, inner segments 107, intermediate segments 109, outer segments 111, connection device 113, mounting member 115, step crank 117, initiator button 119, a typical flush container 121, crank connection 127 and initiation button connector 129. Connection device 113 may be a hinge or any typical connection device such as metal clip that is utilized with the mounting member to connect, couple or affix the outer segments 111 to the toilet bowl seat 103. Mounting member 115 is any typical holder that can hold a screw, pin, such as a latch to hold the connection device 113 that holds the outer segments 111 onto the toilet bowl seat 103, as the toilet bowl seat 103 is raised or lifted up. Also, inner segment 107 is connected to the toilet bowl 101 by a connection device 107 a, similar to connection device 113, and a mounting member 107, similar to mounting member 115. In another embodiment, the connection device 113, mounting member 115, inner segments 107, intermediate segments 109 and outer segments 111 may be disconnected from the toilet bowl seat 103 and/or toilet bowl 101. Toilet bowl seat 103 may also be referred to as toilet seat 103.

This toilet bowl system 100 allows a user to simply and efficiently dispose waste material, such as urine into the toilet bowl 101 without misdirecting the urine into other parts of the toilet bowl system 100 or bathroom. Toilet bowl 101 is connected to a toilet bowl seat 103 and toilet seat cover 105 by the typical means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, the toilet bowl seat 103 by outer segment 111, intermediate segment and inner segments 107 is connected to the toilet bowl 101 by connection device 113 and mounting member 115. The inner segment 107, intermediate segment 109 and outer segment 111 are located on either side 123 and 125 (FIG. 2) of toilet seat 103. These segments 107, intermediate segment 109 and outer segment 111 may be referred to as side toilet seat contractible system Inner segments, 107, intermediate segments 109 and outer segments 111 may be formed of a relatively thin material, such as plastic, wood, metal or any typical material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The inner segment 107, intermediate segment 109 and outer segment 111 have upper and lower edges which extend in generally angular relationship to one another such that segments have a predetermined relatively small height adjacent the rear or side of the toilet and increase in length approaching the middle and/or front of the toilet bowl 101. In this figure the inner segments 107, intermediate segments 109 and outer segments are in a collapsible position where the intermediate segments 109 is in between the inner segments 107 and outer segments 111. However, as shown in FIG. 2 these segments 107, 109 and 111 also known as toilet bowl segments are expanded when toilet bowl seat 103 is in a raised position. Side toilet set contractible system or inner segment 107, intermediate segments 109 and outer segments 111 are also in a contracted or collapsed position when the toilet seat is in a lower position.

Returning to FIG. 1, the toilet bowl seat 103 is made of a flexible durable plastic, such as polyethylene, polyurethane or any type of material that may be bendable, which makes it capable of bending on the sides at an angle in the range of 20 degrees to 90 degrees as the toilet bowl seat 103 is lifted up. Initiation button 119 and step crank 117 are utilized to release a plurality of segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c also known as collapsible protection system in an inner portion of the toilet bowl seat 103, which protects the toilet bowl area from being ruined when waste materials are misdirected outside of the toilet bowl system 100 onto a bathroom. Also, when the toilet bowl seat 103 is raised side toilet seat contractible system inner segment 107, intermediate segment 109 and outer segment 111 is utilized to prevent waste materials, such as urine from leaving or being misdirected out of the toilet bowl system onto the bathroom, by providing a wall to prevent the waste material from leaving the toilet bowl system 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates the toilet bowl of FIG. 1 except that the segments 107, 109 and 111 are expanded as the toilet bowl seat 103 is raised. Since FIG. 2 includes the same components as FIG. 1 a recitation of these components will not be reiterated herein. As the toilet bowl seat 103 is raised to an upright position side portions 123 and 125 of toilet bowl seat 103 bend at a range of 20 to 90 degrees as it is lifted from the toilet bowl 101 towards the flush container 121. It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart that depicts how the toilet bowl seat collapsible protection system is utilized. At block 301, a person using the toilet bowl system 101 lifts up the toilet bowl seat 103 (FIG. 1). When the toilet bowl seat 103 is lifted then inner segments 107, intermediate segments 109 and outer segments 111 are expanded to protect the bathroom from becoming damaged when the toilet bowl 101 is being utilized as shown in FIG. 2. Also, at this time the toilet seat 103 may bend at an angle in the range of 20 to degrees as it is being raised by the person. Optionally, in block 303, the toilet bowl seat 103 includes inner segments 103 a, intermediate segments 103 b and outer segments 103 c as shown in FIG.4 that are extracted and forced into contact with the opposite side of each segment when the toilet bowl seat is lifted. FIG. 4 is the toilet seat with the collapsible protection system. Inner segments 103 a, intermediate segments 103 b and outer segments 103 c make up a collapsible protection system that operate similar to inner segments 107, intermediate segments 109 and outer segments 111. Also, segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c are made of the same materials as segments 107, 109 and 111.

The extraction of the segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c from the collapsible formation shown in FIG. 4 to an extracted position in FIG. 5 is caused by the step crank 117 or initiation button 119 that is mechanically or electronically connected to the toilet bowl seat 103 that includes a holding member 103d that holds the segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c in place. FIG. 5 is the extracted version of the collapsible protection system of the toilet bowl seat 103. When the step crank 117 (FIG. 1) is depressed the crank connection 127 connected to the holding member 103 d release segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c and then it also collapses segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c where they are forced to lay one on top of another as they are brought back into the toilet seat 103. For another example the initiation button 119 (FIG.1) is utilized, when this button is depressed the initiation connection 129 connected to the holding member 103 d release segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, then it also collapses or contracts segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c where they are forced to lie one on top of another as they are brought back into the toilet seat 103. In alternative embodiments, the step crank 117 and/or the initiation button 119 may be located at any part of the toilet bowl system 100. Also, in alternative embodiments the crank connection 127 and initiation button connector 129 may be located at any place on the toilet bowl system 100 as long as they are respectively connected to the step crank 117 and initiation button 119. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor 103 e and a water dispensing device 103 f with a plurality of holes are affixed by a holding member (not shown) to the toilet seat 103 having the inner segments 103 a, intermediate segments 103 b and outer segments 103 c. Also, water dispensing device 103 f may be coupled by a holding member (not shown) to the side toilet seat contractible system (inner segment 107, intermediate segment 109 and outer segment 111) in order to cleanse the toilet seat contractible system. Water dispensing device 103 f may be a standard hose or any typical device utilized to dispense water. For this invention, the hose 103 f is the size of the toilet in the range of 2 inches to 48 inches and it may be made of plastic, rubber or any typical material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. This sensor 103 e next to the water dispensing device 103 f e is a typical motion sensor that is able to detect if waste materials, such as urine is contacting the segments 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c. The hose 103 f is connected to the flushing container 121 so that if the sensor 103 e detects waste material, such as urine contacting segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c then after 5 seconds to 1 minute the hose is activated to release water from the flush container for 5 seconds to 2 minutes to clean segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the toilet seat with the collapsible protection system. In this FIG. 6, the collapsible protection system or segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c is extracted and segments 107, 109 and 111 are also expanded to prevent urine from flowing onto a typical bathroom floor or any place outside of the bathroom.

Returning to FIG. 3, at block 303 the person begins urinating into the toilet bowl 102. Next, at block 305, the sensor 103 e determines if the person is depositing waste material into toilet bowl system or urinating by the urine touching or contacting the sensor 103 e and segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c. At block 307, if the urine does not touch the sensor 103 e then the process ends and the person lowers the toilet seat 103 onto the toilet bowl 101. However, at 305 if the sensor 103 e determines that urine is contacting the sensor 103 e and/or segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, then at block 309 the sensor 103 e transmits a signal to the hose 103 f that the water should be turned on. Depending on how long the person is urinating at the toilet bowl the hose 103 f will be on for that length of time. In an alternative embodiment, sensor 103 e activates the hose 103 f when the person has finished urinating. The hose 103 f may be active for approximately 5 seconds-2 minutes to clean segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c of waste material. In yet another alternative embodiment, the toilet bowl seat 103 includes a small opening 701 (FIG. 7) to insert a sanitizing, disinfectant liquid or capsule that is connected to hose 103 f so that when the hose 103 f is utilized the disinfectant can sanitize and/or disinfect segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c.

At block 311, the person may either use the initiation button 119 with the initiation connection 129 and holding member 103 d or alternatively the step crank with the crank connection 127 and holding member 103 d to bring the segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c back into formation where they are on top of each other and brought into side portions 123 and 125 (FIG. 2) of toilet bowl seat 103. Next, at block 313 the user lowers the toilet bowl seat 103 to the original position on top of the toilet bowl 101 where the segments 107, 109 and 111 are also forced to collapse and lie on top of each other in its original formation and this process ends. In an alternative embodiment, the toilet bowl system 100 does not include segments 107, 109 and 111, but only includes segments 103 a, 103 b and 103 c.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toilet seat where the collapsible segments are located on the front and back portion of the toilet seat. Inner segments 103 g, intermediate segments 103 h and outer segments 103 i are similar to segments 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, 107, 109 and 111 so a recitation of the description of segments 103 g, 103 h and 103 i will not be included herein. Also, this figure includes the same holding member and connection devices associated with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 so these components will also not be described herein. The difference between this figure and FIGS. 4 and 5 is that the segments 103 g, 103 h and 103 i are located in the front and back portion of the toilet bowl seat 103 instead of the side portions of the toilet bowl seat 103 as segments 103 a, 103 b and 103 c.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the toilet seat collapsible protection system of FIG. 8. This perspective shows the segments 107, 109 and 111 expanded with the segments 103 g, 103 h and 103 i also expanded. FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 6 the only difference between the figures is that the segments 103 g, 103 g and 103 i are extracted from the front and back portions of toilet bowl seat 103 instead of the side portions of the toilet bowl seat 103 so a recitation of the components of FIG. 9 and a description of this toilet seat collapsible protection system will not be disclosed herein.

This invention provides a simple means to protect a bathroom from being ruined by waste material. This system enables a typical user to have a clean, sanitized toilet bowl after a person deposits wastes into a toilet bowl. Based on the collapsible protection system a user can effectively prevent a person from misdirecting waste material from being deposited outside of a toilet bowl onto a bathroom. Further, this invention provides a safe means for sanitizing a toilet bowl system.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of the invention. 

1. A toilet bowl system comprising: a toilet bowl; wherein said toilet bowl includes a toilet seat; wherein said toilet seat is coupled to a side toilet seat contractible system configured to prevent waste material from leaving the toilet bowl system.
 2. The toilet bowl system of claim 1, wherein the side toilet seat contractible system comprises an inner segment, an intermediate segment, and an outer segment.
 3. The toilet bowl system of claim 1, wherein the side toilet seat contractible system is connected to the toilet seat by a connection device and a mounting member.
 4. The toilet bowl system of claim 1, wherein the side toilet seat contractible system is connected to the toilet bowl.
 5. The toilet bowl system of claim 4, wherein the side toilet seat contractible system is connected to the toilet bowl by a connection device and a mounting member.
 6. The toilet bowl system of claim 1, wherein the side toilet contractible system is made of a relatively thin material.
 7. The toilet bowl system of claim 6, wherein the relatively thin material of the side toilet contractible system is plastic.
 8. The toilet bowl system of claim 7, where in the toilet seat is made of flexible durable plastic.
 9. The toilet bowl system of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat comprises a collapsible protection system.
 10. A toilet seat comprising: a collapsible protection system; wherein the collapsible protection system includes a plurality of segments; wherein the plurality of segments are laying on top of each other; and a sensor affixed to the plurality of segments, wherein the sensor is configured to detect if any waste material comes into contact with the plurality of segments.
 11. The toilet seat of claim 10, wherein the plurality of segments are made of a relatively thin material.
 12. The toilet seat of claim 11, wherein a hose is connected to the sensor and the plurality of segments.
 13. The toilet seat of claim 12, wherein the hose is configured to release water onto the plurality of segments.
 14. The toilet seat of claim 13, wherein the hose is configured to release water and sanitize the plurality of segments.
 15. A method of utilizing a toilet seat: initiating a collapsible protection system; determining if waste materials are contacting the collapsible protection system; cleansing the collapsible protection system when waste material contacts the collapsible protection system.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprises initiating a collapsible protection system by depressing an initiation button on a toilet bowl system connected to the toilet seat.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprises initiating the collapsible protection system by stepping on a crank on a toilet bowl system connected to the toilet seat.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprises cleansing the toilet seat by utilizing a water dispensing device coupled to the toilet seat. 